In this episode of Longecity interviews, host Justin Loew interviews Dr. Matthew O'Connor, co-founder of Cyclarity Therapeutics, about his ground-breaking research on atherosclerosis and the development of artery-clearing drugs.

Key Points:

Dr. Matthew O'Connor discusses Cyclarity’s progress in developing a drug to clear artery-clogging cholesterol, which may revolutionize the treatment of atherosclerosis. With clinical trials on the horizon, the therapy could lead to significant advances in cardiovascular health.

• Introduction to Cyclarity’s Therapeutic Approach: Dr. O'Connor discusses how his team targets oxidized cholesterol, particularly 7-keto cholesterol, which contributes to plaque build-up in arteries and is a key driver of atherosclerosis.
• Progress Toward Clinical Trials: Cyclarity has completed all the necessary Investigational New Drug (IND) studies and is awaiting approval to start clinical trials in Australia, focusing first on safety in human volunteers.
• In Vitro and In Vivo Success: O'Connor explains how their drug has successfully reversed foam cell formation in lab tests, a significant step in treating atherosclerosis by restoring the health of macrophages overloaded with oxidized cholesterol.
• Safety Trials and Regulatory Hurdles: The drug has shown excellent safety results in both small and large animals. Regulatory requirements, such as testing the drug in the exact syringes used in human trials, have posed challenges. Also, reduced plaque is not seen as a valid surrogate, as no one has done it before, even though cardiologists know it would be a good thing.
• Funding and Future Plans: Cyclarity is currently raising funds to proceed with the next stages of clinical trials, which will focus on testing the drug's efficacy in clearing arterial plaque in humans.
• Potential for Broader Applications: The treatment has the potential for systemic benefits, as clearing oxidized cholesterol might improve overall metabolic health and address aging-related cellular dysfunction.